Corn Refiners Association Celebrates 100th Anniversary

WASHINGTONThe Corn Refiners Association (CRA) celebrated its 100^th anniversary during a gathering at the Library of Congress that celebrated the history and accomplishments of the corn wet milling industry over the last century. The event was attended by CRA members and representatives of food, beverage, ingredient and agricultural industries.

This is an opportunity to thank our customers and suppliers for their support over the last century," said Matthew Wineinger, Chairman of the CRA and President of Tate & Lyle Bulk Ingredients. Our partnership has enabled us to provide the products and ingredients that are essential for so many manufactured goods. We look forward to the next 100 years of partnership and innovation."

Members of Congress in attendance included Reps. Rodney Davis of Illinois and Adrian Smith of Nebraska, who served as the keynote speaker for the event. In his remarks Smith said, I like the can do, the lets get it done approach that agriculture so often has, of not only feeding America, but helping feed the world."

Founded in 1913 as the American Manufacturers Association of Products from Corn, the CRA has taken on issues including trade, food safety, biotechnology and defending its products against misinformation. The corn wet milling industry makes products that are used for paper, pharmaceuticals, ethanol, starches, sweeteners, and animal feed, among many others. In recent years, CRA has worked to increase exports to Mexico and has been a supporter of free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea, and undertaken an educational campaign on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

The corn wet milling industry has 23 plants in 11 states, where they employ more than 8,000 people and refine more than 1.8 billion bushels of corn annually. CRA members include Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Ingredion, Inc., Penford Products, Roquette America, and Tate & Lyle Americas.